PAISAA State Tourney: What’s My Name?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pennsylvania Independent Schools state tournament tips off on Friday and this year's tourney will be a competitive event featuring high-level play from bona-fide stars. By now you are familiar with the elite ballers from the Pennsylvania Independent Schools we are talking about. Names like [player_tooltip player_id='1472574' first='Thomas' last='Haugh'], [player_tooltip player_id='1173984' first='Matt' last='Gilhool'], [player_tooltip player_id='1119156' first='Deywilk' last='Tavarez'] and [player_tooltip player_id='991421' first='Ryan' last='Williams'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Running the court with No. 1 options like those listed above will be a group of prospects who contributed heavily for their varsity team this winter and will potentially play at the next level. But they are not household names…yet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today we want to highlight eight of these lesser-known Pennsylvania Independent Schools athletes who are participating in the state tournament. That way when someone asks you, <em>“What's His Name?”</em> you will know the answer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alfredo Addesa </strong><strong>– 6'10'' / Junior / Perkiomen School / Team Rio Univ. / Power Forward: </strong>On this elite squad, there are not a lot of shots to go around for this big man from Italy. So, the athletic Addesa runs the floor for easy lay-ins and capitalizes on second chance opportunities. From what we have witnessed on the summer circuit he owns a polished low post game. The upside on Addesa is intriguing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Duke Cloran </strong><strong>– 6'1'' / Sophomore / Haverford School / Combo Guard:</strong> As a two-guard Cloran is a smooth operator who can shoot the three and score off the dribble. When he plays point guard, Cloran displays tight handles and terrific court vision. During the regular season, Cloran averaged 9 ppg. while battling an ankle injury. But over his last three contests he was good for 18 points per contest on 43% shooting from deep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1611931' first='Kody' last='Colson'] </strong><strong>– 5'11” / Freshman / Shipley School / Team Final / Combo Guard: </strong>Colson is a scoring guard who can put points on the board in a multitude of ways. He can drain jumpers from all over the court, excels in pick-n-roll action and can get to the rack. He can also dial his scoring back and play as a distributing lead guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1369805' first='Jayden' last='Kelsey'] </strong><strong>– 6'6” / Sophomore / Westtown School / Team Final / Wing: </strong>Watching Kelsey play, thereare twoskill sets you immediately notice. The first is his quick and elusive handles (Especially for a 6'6” prospect.). The other is his precision passing. Kelsey uses his elite dribble skills to get into the paint for hoops and for drive-n-kick plays. This lefty also possesses a nice pull-up game and can splash threes from NBA range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lamar Lovett </strong><strong>– 6'0” / Junior / Cristo Rey / BW Elite / Point Guard:</strong> On the grassroots circuit Lovett has earned himself a reputation as a fluid scoring guard and this winter he scored a season high 14 points vs. Community Academy. However, for Cristo Rey he plays more off a facilitator role, patiently delivering the rock to stars Joshua Wyche and [player_tooltip player_id='1477722' first='Devin' last='Booker'] in their spots. Lovett values the rock and rarely commits a turnover. He is a menacing on-ball defender too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1641783' first='Evan' last='Pagano'] </strong><strong>– 6'2'' / Sophomore / Phelps School / 610 City / Combo Guard: </strong>Alights out shooter from all over the court, Pagano's size, quick trigger, and unlimited range make him extremely difficult to guard. He is simply lethal from behind thar arc. Additionally, Pagano can create opportunities off the bounce for himself and teammates. This season Pagano registered 18 points vs. Mastery Camden as well as New Foundations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nolan Waldon </strong><strong>– 6'0″ / Junior / Academy of New Church / Combo Guard: </strong>Waldon is a speedy guard with tremendous instincts. He pushes ANC's transition game where he can score or distribute to teammates for easy buckets. In the half-court Waldon is a legitimate 3-point threat. Waldon never attempts an ill-advised shot because he always makes the extra pass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Josiah Wright </strong><strong>– 6'4″ / Sophomore / Mercersburg Academy / PSA Cardinals / Combo Guard: </strong>Wright is a sophomore who has gradually earned more playing time over the seasonthanks to his high percentage shooting and endless motor. Over his last five contests Wright is contributing 11 ppg. on 43% shooting from behind the arc. Wright is also a plus player on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->